Standing on the stage at the Bruns Memorial Amphitheater, Executive Director Clive Worsley looks forward to sets transforming the space into Duke Frederick’s court and the Forest of Arden for the company’s 50th anniversary production “As You Like It,” running Sept. 12 – 29.
Thanks to the generosity of over 700 donors, California Shakespeare Theater will produce “As You Like It” Sept. 12 – 29.
Although the sets and costumes had been designed, the play cast and rehearsals set to begin, a funding shortfall of $350,000 put Cal Shakes’ 50th anniversary production in jeopardy.
Executive Director Clive Worsley immediately put together a GoFundMe site and crossed his fingers enough money would be raised for the cast to begin rehearsals Aug. 13.
Worsley got his wish and announced Aug. 6 that Shakespeare’s romantic comedy would take to the boards in September.
“We are so grateful to all those who contributed to our campaign,” said Worsley. “We had over 700 incredible donations from people we know and others we haven’t met yet, but whom I hope will come to the show and see what we’re all about.”
While the donations will allow Cal Shakes to produce the show, it doesn’t mean the company is out of the woods. With government and corporate funding down, as well as private foundations and individual contributions, all arts organizations are scrambling to find a way to survive following COVID-19.
This situation isn’t unique to Cal Shakes.
Many non-profit theaters closed during the pandemic, and with reduced funding and escalating expenses, many more struggle to keep their doors open now.
What is unique to Cal Shakes, however, is its location.
While the amphitheater boasts beautiful views and a calming atmosphere, it also has additional costs, such as trucking in all water and trucking out all refuse, mandatory maintenance of the protected watershed and providing shuttle transportation from BART.
All told, each production costs approximately half a million dollars, with typical monthly expenses clocking in around $212,500.
“The business model has to change,” said Worsley. “We need to have more partnerships and mergers, a sharing of resources among organizations to keep down overhead. But truly, we should take a page out of Europe’s book. The arts in South America, the UK and Western Europe are all strongly subsidized by the government, which does not exercise control over the product.
“They understand the power and importance of the arts. In those countries, artists can survive as artists without taking second and third jobs like many in this country.”
Since government funding isn’t a reality in the United States, Worsley’s vision for the Bruns involves turning it into a multi-disciplinary performing arts and cultural center producing much more than just theater.
“We cannot afford to devote our entire calendar to a product that loses money every month. We must have revenue-positive activities up here,” Worsley said. “That’s why we’re looking to offer, and have offered, comedy, dance, live music of all stripes, programs for families with young children, civic, corporate and community events, including weddings.”
Worsley noted a recent Native American comedy night brought a large, diverse audience to Bruns. During the event, he heard many audience members commenting on how much they loved the venue. He hopes they will come back for other events.
He also referenced a recent mega Chamber of Commerce mixer at the site where 75% of the attendees said they had never been there, and many others had never even heard of the Bruns Amphitheater.
“Being the best kept secret in the Bay Area is a really crummy business plan,” Worsley said.
Worsley vowed the organization would always be committed to Shakespeare, producing one to two shows per season, in addition to a wide variety of other events. He also committed to hiring local artists, whom Bay Area audiences know, rather than flying out and housing East Coast performers at additional expense.
While Worsley is excited about developing a new business plan for Cal Shakes, right now his concentration is on the current show.
“I look forward to welcoming people to our production of ‘As You Like It.’ We have an amazing cast and a dynamite creative team,” he said.
Worsley encourages everyone to “grab a blanket, enjoy something delicious at our café and join us to celebrate outdoor theater and the return of Shakespeare to the Cal Shakes’ stage.”
For tickets, go to calshakes.org/asyoulikeit/.
